Jesus died for us
Was tortured for us
He is a gift to broken humans
He is a teacher for the lost
He suffered so we can be forgiven
Jesus is love
Jesus is LORD
"He received 39 stripes because 40 was known to kill a man. They wanted him alive. They held handfuls of his beard, and hair and pulled it out by the roots. They wanted him alive. They kicked, punched, and spit on him for hours. Until there wasn't a single spot on his body not covered in blood. They wanted him alive.
They shoved a crown of thorns down on his head so harshly it stuck in his skin. They wanted him alive. After hours of being beaten, mocked, whipped, flogged, and tortured they made him walk with a cross. They made him carry it. A rough piece of wood with splinters digging into fresh wounds. They wanted him alive.
They wanted him to feel every ounce of pain they could bring. He had to feel it in order to heal us. Crucifixion was historically one of the cruelest most tortured deaths a human could face. Hours upon hours of torture. Torture most of us can not mentally think of because the cruelty isn't normal. It isn't something our minds can comprehend. We celebrate Easter with pastel colors, happy children hunting eggs, and chocolate. Truth is there was absolutely nothing happy about the day Jesus died. It was cruel, bloody, and nasty.
He could have stopped all of it. He could have called every angel in heaven to demolish every person standing and shouting "Crucify Him!" He didn't. He knew in order to have a Sunday you have to have a Friday. He knew in order to have joy you have to carry your cross. He felt everything that day. He felt how your heart broke wide open when you had to watch your baby die. He felt how heavy your life was when you were staring down the barrel of a gun wondering if the man you called husband was going to shoot you. He carried the weight of the burden you have felt since your spouse died and life just doesn't seem right since.
On that cross he held the rapist and murderers, the sinner and the saint. He leveled every playing field and said ALL of you are worth it. He knew he had to carry the cross. He never promised the cross you carry in this life would not be heavy. His wasn't. His promise is that Sunday is coming.
No matter how heavy Friday is. Financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Friday is heavy. That cross is weighing you down and you are about to crumble under its weight. His promise was simply this. He won't make you carry it alone. What kind of king would step down from his throne for this?
Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God did. For you.
He did every bit of it for you and me. Oh yes it is heavy. So heavy sometimes you do not think you can take one more step. But look up, because Sunday is coming."
This is so powerful!
- Author Unknown
Handley rushed 41 times for 521 yards and nine touchdowns as the Tigers hammered St. Michael 68-38 in a state playoff game. | Click on the picture to read the details
https://t.co/HPkNBohghn
The talent level in Class 4A, Region 4 was on display as the Handley Tigers downed the Jacksonville Golden Eagles 32-24 in a competitive game. https://t.co/zPTpCDnI5W
Almost quietly Coach Trent Taylor has risen to the top of 4A with 267 victories at Kinston, Straughn and Andalusia over the past 35 seasons.
Nineteen off season coaching changes in 4A this year.
https://t.co/PazdDF3OTo
I would like to thank God, my Family, Elite Rehab Wedowee LLC, and Dr. Dooley… for the first time in 5 months since my ACL injury I was finally able to come back and hit with my girls!!💙 I got me one in “THE”Area Tournament! #ACLCOMEBACK#putinthework@RCladytigers@TopGunHays
The family of Evelyn Dieckhaus released a statement, which reads: “Our hearts are completely broken. We cannot believe this has happened. Evelyn was a shining light in this world. We appreciate all the love and support but ask for space as we grieve.“ https://t.co/LSD3q4rkVx
Mike Hill worked at The Covenant School for 15 years. He tried to know every student by name and met every day with a smile on his face. https://t.co/OCz74yRCBY
MNPD Officers Rex Engelbert, a 4-year veteran, and Michael Collazo, a 9-year veteran, were part of a team of first responders to the Covenant campus Mon morning. They fired on the active shooter, who was killed. This is their body camera footage. https://t.co/17qsZM6bNp
🏀Congratulations to our Handley girls' basketball team on being Area Champions! An additional big congratulations to our 4 MVPs!🏀 #foreverhandley#weprowlasone